The 2016-17 UMass Dartmouth women's basketball team pulled off one of the greatest stories that culminated in not only the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance, but it's first tournament win and beyond. The Corsairs posted a program-record 25 wins with an overall mark of 25-6, producing an 11-3 Little East mark – which was a program record at the time.
 
Guided by head coach Matt Ducharme, the Corsairs went 21-4 during the regular season, including a 6-0 start. Entering the LEC Tournament as the third-seed, UMass Dartmouth advanced to the semifinals before falling to Keene State. Despite the exit, the Corsairs were selected for the At-Large bid into the NCAA Tournament, marking the program's first appearance. The squad posted its first tournament victory with a 71-64 score against La Roche in the opening round, followed by the first-ever win over a ranked opponent with a 71-63 victory over No. 11/12 Montclair State on its home floor in the Second Round.
 
The Sweet 16 saw the Corsairs post a 67-57 win over SUNY New Paltz to advance to the Elite 8. Despite the momentum, UMass Dartmouth's season came to an end at the hands of top-ranked Amherst, who posted a 73-33 win over the Corsairs enroute to winning the NCAA Tournament with an undefeated season. The Corsairs became the first LEC team to advance to the quarterfinals since Southern Maine in 2006.
 
The accolades were plenty for the Corsairs, paced by Nakira Examond, who was named the 2016-17 Little East Player of the Year, having finished the season as the only player in the LEC to average a double-double on the season with 15.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per contest. Examond was named to the All-LEC First Team, while Alicia Kutil was an All-LEC Second Team selection. Additionally, Examond was a D3hoops.com All-Region First Team and NEWBA First Team honoree.

Members of the 2016-17 Team included, Jamie Williams, Danyel Gonzalez, Kailyn Milligan, LeiAndra Busby, Soraya Leon, Kayla McMahon, Adi Alicea-Cordero, Nakira Examond, Chelsea Houlihan, Leah Douty, Rybecca Gonzalez, Rachel McCarron, Alicia Kutil, Matt Ducharme (Head Coach), Nadia Smith (Team Manager).